"I think the experience you can expect as a passenger is in the core, anchor cities, obviously we’ll have a lot more drivers to more popular areas," Raczka said Thursday. "You can expect longer ETAs, or potentially at very non-peak times, it will be more difficult to get a ride in the rural areas."

Ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft have operated in New York City in recent years under the city's livery taxi laws. The companies connect allow users to summon a driver with the press of the button on a smartphone app.

A measure approved in the state's $153 billion budget in April set up a statewide regulatory system for ride-hailing, clearing the way for the companies to expand statewide beginning June 29.

Uber's app, meanwhile, is also expected to be available for users statewide on June 29. But, like Lyft, service is expected to be stronger in cities like Buffalo and Rochester rather than more rural areas.

The state's law allows counties and the cities of Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse and Buffalo to block ride-hailing apps from picking up passengers within their borders. So far, none has.

Airports, meanwhile, can negotiate deals to allow access for ride-hailing drivers hoping to pick up and drop off travelers.

In a news release, Lyft said it is negotiating deals with airports upstate, including Rochester, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.